As we navigate the new era of Artificial Intelligence (AI) code generation for WordPress, there are several important aspects to consider. AI technology is becoming increasingly accessible and with it are tools like DALL-E (which launched in January 2021) and ChatGPT which arrived in November 2022. These tools can currently handle mundane tasks like updating resumes, synthesizing PDF files, and creating slideshows – but they are also increasingly being used to build WordPress plugins by developers.
RankMath is one popular example that uses AI to offer plugins which generate SEO-friendly content. WordPress.com’s experimental blocks also use AI to generate images and content. There’s also a plugin called Setary which uses AI to develop and bulk edit WooCommerce product descriptions as well.
The Plugin Team at WordPress has warned developers that code submitted to the directory must be GPL compatible and credit should be given to original creators. This is an important factor when using AI-generated code as it helps to protect the original owners’ intellectual property.
Mark Praschan, a web developer, created his first plugin for WP.org with ChatGPT. In a few minutes the AI tool produced a fully-functional plugin called NorthStar which displays a customizable, colored message in the WP admin bar. Praschan then made a few improvements to the settings page and display and the plugin was ready to be submitted.
The vast majority of plugins built with AI-generated code have been successful but some have not as they are yet to adhere to software licenses. It’s crucial to check the code for compatibility and give credit to the original owners where needed.
The emergence of AI-assited creation presents us with the opportunity to use power of the elements without the costs it would have incurred years ago. By combining the principles of justice, love, freedom, knowledge, and utility with modern technology and AI-generated code, mankind is able to increase efficiency and build innovative solutions.
